Dec. 1, 2003

MILWAUKEE -

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's swimming and diving team has announced the signing of four new athletes for the 2004-05 season. Joining the Panthers will be Jessica Kelly, Jenna Kotlarz, Kristin Skiba and Kayla Szymanski.

Jessica Kelly, a sprinter from Red Wing, Minn., comes to the Panthers after being a member of the three of the Wingers' state championship teams. Kelly has been a part of a 200 and 400 freestyle relay team that has won their event in state competition. She has also been recognized as a High School All-American and as an All-Conference athlete in the Missota Conference. Kelly has also been an academic honor roll student for eight-consecutive semesters. Her parents are Tim and Sue Kelly of Red Wing, Minn. and Tabitha Fischer of Minneapolis, Minn.

"Jessica will be a big help to our relay teams next season," Panther head coach Dave Clark said. "She has been a part of a winning program, continues to rapidly improve and carries with her a strong, winning state-of-mind."

Jenna Kotlarz, a diver from Woodbury, Minn., joins UWM as an already extremely accomplished diver. She has been a High School All-American the past two years, an All-State diver for the past three season, has finished second in the Minnesota State AA meet three consecutive years and has appeared in the competition all four years of high school. Kotlarz has been a sectional champion for the past three years, has broken her own diving records in the Suburban East Conference and holds numerous diving records at Woodbury High School. Besides diving, she has been an All-State Honorable Mention athlete in Gymnastics. Her parents are Ted and Gloria of Woodbury, Minn.

"Jenna is an incredibly solid athlete," Clark notes. "Being a state finalist in gymnastics and diving shows that she has a great deal of athletic ability. She should be able to make an immediate impact on our team and league from the beginning of her collegiate career."

Kristin Skiba, a sprinter from Hoffman Estates, Ill., has been an Illinois state qualifier while swimming at Jacobs High School. She was has been the Golden Eagles' team MVP the past three season and currently holds the school record in the 50 freestyle. Included in her accomplishment, Skiba was the conference champion in the 50 freestyle and a member of the conference champion 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay teams. Skiba is a swimmer for the Trails of Algonquin Summer Swim Club and has represented them as a 2003 North Central Conference champion in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events. Her parents are John and Laura of Algonquin, Ill.

"Kristin has improved every year for the past three years," Clark comments. "She is a tenacious, goal-driven student-athlete that will play a major role in making our relays and team the league's best."

Kayla Szymanski, a diver from Hales Corner, will join her sister and current Panther diver Crystal as a member of the UWM Diving squad. Szymanski has shown a consistent climb in her performances throughout high school. She placed fifth in the high school division II state meet in 2002 and came back to place third in 2003. She is also a member of the Schroeder YMCA Diving team and, under the direction of head coach and current Panther diving coach Todd Hill, became a national finalist on the 3-meter board in 2003. Szymanski has won the Whitnall High School Academic Award the past three years and is also her team's captain. Her parents are Michael and Sharon of Hales Corner, Wis.

"Kayla is a hardworking diver that has shown steady improvement throughout her career," Dave Clark mentions. "Her experience on the national level and her experience on the 3-meter and tower should allow her to cement together an already solid diving corps."